5.1 Bridge Layout

  5.1.1.1 Field of Vision

  5.1.1.1.1 Minimum Field of Vision

The view of the sea surface from the navigating and manoeuvring workstation should not be obscured by more than two ship lengths or 500 m, whichever is less, forward of the bow to 10° on either side under all conditions of draught, trim and deck cargo.

  5.1.1.1.2 Field of Vision around the Ship

There should be a field of vision around the vessel of 360° obtained by an observer moving within the confines of the wheelhouse.

  5.1.1.1.3 Navigating and Manoeuvring Workstation

The horizontal field of vision from the navigating and manoeuvring workstation should extend over an arc of not less than 225°, that is from right ahead to not less than 22.5°, abaft the beam on either side of the ship. See figure 5.1.1.1.3.

  5.1.1.1.4 Monitoring Workstation

From the monitoring workstation, the field of vision should extend at least over an arc from 90° on the port bow, through forward, to 22.5° abaft the beam on starboard. See figure 5.1.1.1.4.

  5.1.1.1.5 Bridge Wing

From each bridge wing the horizontal field of vision should extend over an arc at least 225°, that is at least 45° on the opposite bow through right ahead and then from right ahead to right astern through 180° on the same side of the ship. See figure 5.1.1.1.5.

  5.1.1.1.6 Main Steering Position

From the main steering position (workstation for manual steering) the horizontal field of vision should extend over an arc from right ahead to at least 60° on each side of the ship. See figure 5.1.1.1.6.

Figure 5.1.1.1.3 Navigating and Manoeuvring Workstation

Figure 5.1.1.1.4 Figure Monitoring Workstation

Figure 5.1.1.1.5 Bridge Wing

Figure 5.1.1.1.6 Main Steering Position

  5.1.1.1.7 Blind Sectors

The safe look-out from the navigating and manoeuvring workstation should not be influenced by blind sectors.

No blind sector caused by cargo, cargo gear or other obstructions outside of the wheelhouse forward of the beam which obstructs the view of the sea surface as seen from the navigating and manoeuvring workstation, should exceed 10°. The total arc of blind sectors should not exceed 20°. The clear sector between two blind sectors should be at least 5°. Over an arc from right ahead to at least 10° on each side, each individual blind sector should not exceed 5°.

  5.1.1.1.8 View of the Ship's Side

The ship's side should be visible from the bridge wing. Bridge wings should be provided out to the maximum beam of the ship. The view over the ship's side should not be obstructed.

  5.1.1.2 Windows

  5.1.1.2.1 Lower Edge of the Front Window

The height of the lower edge of the front windows should allow a forward view over the bow for a person in a sitting position at the workstation for navigating and manoeuvring and the workstation for monitoring.

Within the required field of vision the height of the lower edge of the windows above the bridge deck should be kept as low as possible. In no case should the lower edge present an obstruction to the forward view as described in 5.1.1.1.

  5.1.1.2.2 Upper Edge of the Front Window

The upper edge of the front windows should allow a forward view of the horizon for a person in a standing position with an eye height of 1.800 mm above the bridge deck at the navigating and manoeuvring workstation, when the ship is pitching in heavy seas. If 1.800 mm eye height is unreasonable and impractical, the eye height may be reduced, but not less than 1.600 mm.

  5.1.1.2.3 Framing Between Windows

Framing between windows should be kept to a minimum and not be installed immediately forward of any workstation, or the centre-line. If stiffeners between windows are to be covered, this should not cause further obstructions of the field of view from any position inside the wheelhouse.

  5.1.1.2.4 Front Window Inclination

To help avoid reflections, the bridge front windows should be inclined from the vertical plane top out, at an angle of not less than 10° and not more than 25°.

  5.1.1.2.5 Rear and Side Window Inclination

To help avoid reflections, rear and side windows should be inclined from the vertical plane top out, at an angle of not less than 10° and not more than 25°. Exceptions can be made for windows in bridge wing doors.

  5.1.1.2.6 Removable Sunscreens

To ensure a clear view and to avoid reflections in bright sunshine, sunscreens with minimum colour distortion should be provided at all windows. Such screens should be readily removable and not permanently installed. 

  5.1.1.2.7 Glass Characteristics

Polarized and tinted windows should not be fitted.

  5.1.1.2.8 Clear View

A clear view through at least two of the bridge windows and, depending on the bridge configuration, an additional number of windows with a clear view should be provided at all times, regardless of the weather conditions.

  5.1.2.1 Wheelhouse Dimensions

The clear ceiling height in the wheelhouse should be designed with regard to the installation of overhead panels and devices. The clear height between the bridge deck surface covering and the underside of the deck head beams should be at least 2.25 m. The lower edge of deckhead mounted equipment should be at least 2.1 m above the deck in open areas, passageways and at standing workstations.

  5.1.2.2 View of the area in front of the bridge superstructure

It should be possible to watch the area in front of the bridge superstructure from the wheelhouse.

  5.1.2.2.1 Position close to the Forward Centre Window

A position should be provided close to the forward centre window.

If the view in the centre-line is obstructed by large masts, cranes, etc., two additional positions giving a clear view ahead should be provided, one on the port side and one on the starboard side of the centre-line, no more than 5 m apart.

  5.1.2.2.2  Access to Front Window

A second close approach access besides the position should be possible or the width of the position should be sufficient to accommodate two persons.

  5.1.2.3 Position of the Workstation for Navigating and Manoeuvring

The workstation for navigating and manoeuvring should be laid out if practicable, at the starboard side close to the centre-line.

  5.1.2.4 Position of the Workstation for Manual Steering

The workstation for manual steering should preferably be located on the ship's centre-line. If the view ahead is obstructed by large masts, cranes, etc., the steering station should be located a distance to starboard of the centre-line, sufficient to obtain a clear view ahead. If the workstation for manual steering is located off the centre-line, special steering references for use by day and night should be provided, e.g. sighting marks forward.

  5.1.2.5 Position of the Workstation for Monitoring

The workstation for monitoring should be laid out if practicable, at the port side close to the centre-line.

  5.1.2.6 Bridge Wing Communication

An internal communication system between the workstation for docking and the workstation for navigating and manoeuvring should be provided when the distance between the workstations is greater than 10 m. An internal communication system should always be provided between the workstation for navigating and manoeuvring and open bridge wings. Where workstations are widely spread, internal communication systems should be provided so that unhampered communications can be achieved under all operating conditions. It is important that all order/action communication systems be two-way.

  5.1.2.7 Doors

All wheelhouse doors should be operable with one hand. Bridge wing doors should not be self-closing. Means should be provided to hold bridge wing doors open.

  5.1.2.8 Portable Items

Portable items, such as safety equipment, tools, lights, pencils, should be stored at appropriate places, specially designed wherever necessary.

  5.1.3.1 Clear Route

A clear route across the wheelhouse from bridge wing to bridge wing should be provided. The width of the passageway should be at least 1 200 mm.

  5.1.3.2 Adjacent Workstation Distances

The distance between adjacent workstations should be sufficient to allow unobstructed passage to persons not working at the stations.

The free passage in passageways between different workstation areas should be at least 700 mm. The workstation operating area should be part of the workstation not of the passageway.

  5.1.3.3 Passageway Dimensions

The distance from the bridge front bulkhead, or from any consoles or installations placed against the front bulkhead, to any consoles or installations placed away from the bridge front should be sufficient for two persons to pass each other. The distance of a passageway between the front bulkhead and any consoles should preferably be at least 1 000 mm, and not less than 800 mm.